Temecula Valley forges link to Revolutionary War

George Washington re-enactor brings nation’s first leader to life for visitors at history center

Steve Clugston, dressed as George Washington, displays a historical American flag to visitors at The Little Temecula History Center adjacent to the Kohl's store on Redhawk Parkway and Wolf Store Road. In the background is the History Center.
— Charlie Neuman

Steve Clugston, dressed as George Washington, displays a historical American flag to visitors at The Little Temecula History Center adjacent to the Kohl's store on Redhawk Parkway and Wolf Store Road. In the background is the History Center.
— Charlie Neuman

TEMECULA  The gap between Valley Forge in 1777 and Temecula Valley in 2013 was narrowed slightly Saturday.

It happened on a patch of grass near the Little Temecula History Center along state Route 79, where the setup featured a rugged canvas tent, a display of muskets and blacksmith-fashioned utensils, and a tall fellow who called himself George Washington.

“We didn’t have uniforms until 1780 or so because of money ... We eventually got them because we wanted to impress the French,” said historian Steve Clugston, whose buff-colored getup included gold buttons, a heavy navy blue overcoat, white tights and big-buckled leather shoes.

Clugston, a Temecula resident who dresses as the Revolutionary War general and first U.S. president for school programs and parades, gave presentations to onlookers who steadily arrived to check out the latest event organized by the Vail Ranch Restoration Association.

The association also in the past has re-created events of the Butterfield Stage and the Civil War for locals who want to see and feel events of yesteryears.

Rebecca Farnbach, a board member, said that whenever there’s interest in a history event, the association will work to make it happen.

“It was George Washington’s birthday (Friday), and we saw opportunity,” said Farnbach, adding that it was Clugston’s suggestion.

Within a few minutes of getting into costume, Clugston — who spoke mostly in the character of Washington — had his first visitors.

The Ortega family of Temecula arrived ready with questions and comments. Paul Ortega, 9, a student at Temecula Preparatory Charter School, could identify some of the weapons on the table, including the saber and the bayonet.

His mother, Virginia Ortega, asked about the wooden canteen, which Clugston said could often include water tainted with bugs.

“Soldiers preferred to drink ale at times,” he explained, in a strong tone worthy of a man commanding thousands of troops.

Later, Clugston said he’s a proponent of living history events that bring costumes, artifacts and acting to the public because they can pique a person’s interest in history.

“Movies can do that, but there isn’t a lot out there about the Revolutionary War,” he said, adding that Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” was an exception, a film about the war’s Southern campaign. “My hope is that through this we bring education alive. It has to be more than just reading a book. These kids will go to their teachers and remember something they saw here today and ask questions. It makes it more real for them.”

Virginia Ortega said events such as this expand the classroom experience for her children: “They learn history at school and then can come to something like this and see George Washington and all the artifacts. … Anything that teaches more history, we love.”